40 DEPARTMENTAL REPOETS. 



of the United States adapted thereto where the same have l)eeoiue 

 scarce or extinct, and also to regiihite the introduction of American 

 or foreign birds or animals in localities where they have not hereto- 

 fore existed." The Secretary of Agriculture is authorized to adopt 

 such measures as may be necessarj^ to carry out the purposes of the 

 act, to collect and j)ublisli useful information on the propagation, 

 uses, and preservation of birds, and to purchase game and other birds, 

 subject to tlie laws of the various States and Territories. 



Many persons, apparently, assume that the primary object of the law 

 is the purchase and distribution of game birds. But its scope is in 

 reality much broader, since it provides for the preservation of birds in 

 general — those of interest to the farmer as well as those of interest to 

 the sportsman. Only about 200 (IS per cent) of the 1,125 species and 

 subspecies of birds found in North America north of Mexico can 

 properlj- be considered game, and the practical limitations attending 

 propagation, even in this comparatively small group, do not seem to 

 be generally recognized. In general, game birds may l)e divided into 

 four main groups: (1) Gallina? or upland game birds, including quail, 

 pheasants, grouse, and turkeys; (2) Limicolse or shore birds, repre- 

 sented by plovers, snij)e, woodcock, and curlew; (3) Rallidje or rails, 

 including meadow-hens and gallinules; (4) Anatidfe or ducks, com- 

 prising ducks, geese, and swans. Of the birds in these four groups, 

 pheasants and a few ducks are the only ones that have thus far been 

 successful!}" raised in captivity. Pheasants, grouse, and quail have 

 been established in new localities and depleted covers have been 

 restored by judicious distribution of wild birds at certain seasons. 

 But to restore the iu)rmal abundance of the great bulk of game birds, 

 including snipe, Avoodcock, shore birds in general, rails, swans, geese, 

 and the majority of the ducks — in fact all migratory species — the 

 chief reliance must be placed on protective measures, and these meas- 

 ures must guarantee the birds i^rotection during the breeding season, 

 and prevent their destruction in undue numbers during the open sea- 

 son. It will thus be seen that the restoration of birds by propagation 

 or distribution is limited to narrow lines, and confined mainly to a 

 few of the more important upland game birds which are practically 

 nonmigrator}-. 



Furthermore, in obtaining such birds, the Secretary is required to 

 purchase subject to the laws of the various States and Territories. A 

 cursory examination of these laws shows that in numerous instances 

 States prohibit the exportation of game birds even when intended for 

 purposes of propagation. For example, some of the States from which 

 a supply of quail could most readih" be obtained absolutely prohibit 

 shij)ment of the birds for any purpose. Under these conditions the 

 Department is somewhat limited in its ability to carry out the object 

 of the law in so far as it relates to the purchase and distribution of 

 game birds. But it can nevertheless do much to further the desired 

 object by furnishing information, by cooperating with associations 

 and individuals, or by suggesting measures which are most likely to 

 l)e successful in a given locality or for a particular species. 



IMPORTATION OF FOREIGN ANIMALS AND BIRDS. 



In the last Annual Report attention Avas called to the necessity for 

 legislation restricting the introduction of noxious animals and birds 

 from abroad. It is gratifying to report that Congress has at length 

 recognized this necessity, and under the Lacey act absolutely prohib- 



